Communication Device and Working Vehicle Provided with the Same

• US 20150240459A1
• Filed: 09/19/2013
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Shinpei, Ishidou, Motoi, Tsushimi, Yasushi
• Granted Patent: US 9,399,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/267 Diagnosing or detecting failure of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits

Abstract

A reader writer (communication device) executes at least one of reading identification information stored in an IC tag and writing the identification information to the IC tag. The reader writer includes: a wireless control circuit that generates output for communication; a temperature sensor (temperature detector) that detects a temperature in an environment in which an RFID chip, balun, filter circuit, power amplifier, and coupler (elements for forming the wireless control circuit) are used; a temperature judging unit that judges whether or not the environment in which the element is used falls within a usable temperature range of the element based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor; and a wireless power supply controller that suppresses a supply of power to the wireless control circuit when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range.

Claims

1. A communication device that executes at least one of reading identification information stored in an identification component and writing the identification information to the identification component, the communication device comprising:

a wireless control circuit that outputs radio waves;

a temperature detector that detects a temperature of an environment in which an element forming the wireless control circuit is used;

a temperature judging unit that judges whether or not the environment in which the element is used falls within a usable temperature range of the element, based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector; and

a wireless power supply controller that suppresses a supply of power to the wireless control circuit when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein

the temperature judging unit judges whether or not the element is in the environment within the usable temperature range, based on whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detector falls within a control limit value including a lower limit value and an upper limit value.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein

the temperature detector comprises a plurality of temperature sensors.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication controller that is connected to the wireless control circuit via a transmission line and controls communication of the identification information with the wireless control circuit, wherein

the communication controller decreases a voltage level of the transmission line when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication controller that is connected to the wireless control circuit via a transmission line and controls communication of the identification information with the wireless control circuit; and

a relay that electrically interrupts the transmission line when the temperature judging unit judges that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range.

7. A working vehicle comprising the communication device according to claim 1.

8. The working vehicle according to claim 7, wherein

the communication device is provided in a machine room of the working vehicle.

6. A communication device that executes at least one of reading identification information stored in an identification component and writing the identification information to the identification component, the communication device comprising:

a wireless control circuit that outputs radio waves;

a temperature detector that comprises a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting a temperature of an environment in which an element forming the wireless control circuit is used;

a temperature judging unit that judges whether or not the element is in an environment within a usable temperature range, based on whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detector falls within a control limit value including a lower limit value and an upper limit value; and

a wireless power supply controller that suppresses a supply of power to the wireless control circuit when the temperature judging unit that the element is not in the environment within the usable temperature range, wherein

the identification component is attached to a component installed in a working vehicle.

9. A working vehicle comprising the communication device according to claim 6.

10. The working vehicle according to claim 9, wherein

the communication device is provided in a machine room of the working vehicle.